0 Standing room only

On Father's Day I ended up running Chicago car 3142, which is always fun, especially on a day with such nice weather.  And boy, were we busy!  For over three hours I was operating constantly and every trip was standing room only.  I heard that they had to turn people away from the North Shore train, which together with the 3142 and the coach train was holding down service for the day and was generally packed.  It was great to see the museum so busy.  I didn't even get a chance to make it over to the shop until the end of the day, after I'd put the car back in the barn, so I don't have much news to report regarding restoration activities.  Overall it was a long day but an enjoyable one.

Detail: Standing room only

0 Going in Circles

I spent Saturday going in circles, running the 3142 on the streetcar line.  It's always fun to get out of the shop and operate once in a while.  This weekend was Scout Days, so the museum was mobbed by Boy Scouts.  It was great to see the place as busy as it was.

My day was generally uneventful, which is typically a good thing when you're involved in train operations.  I did get a chance to stop by Barn 4 and see what was happening there, though.  Below left, Tim Peters is continuing to make terrific progress on the CRT gate car.  Here you can see a plywood mockup of the destination sign box that will be built for the car as part of its backdating.  Below right, scooping the scooper: Bob Kutella snaps a photo of Jeff Brady (left) and Norm Krentel, who had just finished steaming and clamping a plank that will help hold rooftop ladder slats securely in place on the Michigan Electric car.

Detail: Going in Circles

0 Operating Schedule for 2013

The 2013 operating schedule for the CA&E wood cars has been finalized.  Fairly consistently, the consist will consist of two of the three cars in rotation for regular operation (308, 309 and 319).  All operations are dependent upon weather and mechanical considerations, of course, but we expect that the cars will operate on most, if not all, of these days: May 27th (Memorial Day/Founders Day), June 8th-9th (RPO Days), June 22nd-23rd (Chicago Day), July 4th (Independence Day), July 7th (Trolley Parade only - not in revenue service), August 4th (Vintage Transport Extravaganza), August 31st-September 1st-September 2nd (Labor Day Weekend), September 14th (Museum Showcase Weekend).

If you're rules-qualified, please sign up for a couple of days - we're always in need of motormen, conductors and trainmen.  Thanks!

Detail: Operating Schedule for 2013

0 Op 'Till You Drop! Or, How a Bunch of Deadheads Rode the L

David Writes....

There's really nothing more I can add from what Frank and Randall have already written, other than the fact that I also operated all day on Sunday, and did not get back to St. Louis until 10:30 pm Sunday night, hence the explanation for part of the title of the post.

The best thing I noticed about both days is that we had what appeared to be very good crowds, judging from the cars in the parking lot, and on the train/streetcar. Based on punching tickets on Saturday, we had lots of paying visitors, in addition to the usual gaggle of members that congregate on special weekends. As previously mentioned, we had very good loadings for most of the trips, and the passengers seemed to enjoy themselves. Over the course of the weekend, I had six or seven people introduce themselves as readers of the blog. It was nice to have our total readership accounted for in a single day. I also noticed a lot of families taking advantage of the picnic grounds at IRM, which is good. One family even rode the streetcar on Sunday over to Electric Park to picnic, in the grand streetcar tradition.

Here I am on Saturday, taking a quick break at the end of the day, before we put the cars up for the day. 

The night ride on the wooden L train was fun, and well-attended by the Car Department regulars.  Chris Buck mentioned that with all the people on the train in uniform, it looked like a Deadhead run.  I never realized that many people at IRM liked Jerry Garcia.  You learn something every day!

Here we see Charlie Strong and Frank. taking a ride.

Here we see Joe Stupar and the lovely Gwyn Stupar, enjoying themselves.

On Sunday, I operated CTA streetcar 3142. The Green Hornet was also out, doing line training, and helping take in the crowds that were vesting the property that day. Blog reader, college student, and amateur artist Zach Ehlers was out both days. He rode around and around and around the streetcar line with me on Saturday. Also, on Sunday, I used my CSL run number disc on the 3142. If you see the number 6 in photos, you know it was me.

Even though it was Museum Showcase weekend, there was plenty of other work going on at IRM. Bob Kutella and his crew were showing off the Great Western Plow, and selling tickets so people could watch the wings unfold. The Track Department was out in full force, doing inspection work on Saturday, rebuilding a track cart on Sunday.

The weather was great, along with two days of safe operations.  What more could one ask for?

If anyone has a photo of me operating the streetcar on Sunday, please contact me at david dot wilkins at charter dot net.  Thanks!

Detail: Op 'Till You Drop! Or, How a Bunch of Deadheads Rode the L

0 To the Moon!

David Writes....

Saturday was a fairly busy day for us on the CTA 3142. I was operating and Al was doing some more line training. Throughout the day, we had very good passenger loadings, operating the car fully loaded at times. The weather was very nice, a bit chilly at times, but sunny and bright.  Art Schwartz from the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum rode with us several times throughout the day.  The day also provided a good chance to try out my new CSL/CTA streetcar uniform.  Frank pointed out that with the 8-point hat and Ike jacket, I look like Ralph Kramden.  One of these days Frank, Pow! Right in the Kisser!

In addition to our normal trips, we ran a "Charter" trip for a birthday party that was being held at the museum. The group had their cookout and gift opening ceremony under the Central Avenue/McCormick Place pavilion, and then rode a special trip around the streetcar loop to Depot Street, where they boarded the mainline train. Nick did an excellent job of coordinating the events for the day.

At the end of the day, I took Al shopping at the East Union outlet of Henry's Fine Clothes for Men.  As you recall, Henry's is a specialized haberdashery for IRM members, providing the finest in gently used transit clothing. Al was able to find a conductor's jacket that fit him well. Another satisfied customer!

Finally, this old framed poster from the Chicago Surface Lines hangs in the office at IRM near the sign-in book. A good reminder that when you interact with the public at IRM, you are a representative of the museum.

Detail: To the Moon!

0 14th Annual DOWT

Sunday I was one of many dozens of volunteers who helped out with the museum's 14th annual Day Out With Thomas event.  The event ran Friday, Saturday and Sunday this past weekend and will resume for Saturday and Sunday of next weekend.  The weather all weekend was gorgeous, the first truly temperate weekend we've had in some time - mid 70s and sunny virtually the whole of the three days.  Attendance seemed good, about what it was last year give or take from some reports.  Overall the crowds seemed happy as usual.

I only managed to get one (poor) photo of Thomas himself, above just before the gates opened while some of the volunteer staffers were getting their own photos as well.  Once the crowds descended it was time to get to work.  I was working as conductor on CSL 144, one of the gems of the museum's streetcar fleet.  This car is really the representative Chicago streetcar and it's always great to see it out in operation, swallowing up the crowds like it would have on Madison or State sixty or seventy years ago.

Above left, the 144 approaches Central Avenue (taken during my lunch break!); at right the interior of the car before putting it back in the barn at the end of the day.  Car 144 is a PAYE (Pay As You Enter) car of the type that was nearly universal in Chicago for decades, until one-man cars, Sedans and PCCs started to become common.   Riders board on the expansive rear platform and pay the conductor, stationed just outside the bulkhead between the doors into the body of the car, before they enter the car.  This setup allowed for more efficient fare collection than previous roaming fare collection and the large platform on these cars made it possible for them to board a large crowd standing at a car stop and then start moving while people searched for change to pay, rather than waiting while for the line of people to file onto the car.

Above, a photo showing the crowds of people on Depot Street with car 3142 stopped at Central Avenue.  Streetcar line operations for Thomas are much different than on normal days.  Four cars operate continuously, with relief crewmen available to give the crew lunch breaks without having to take the cars out of service.  The Central Avenue and Barn 9 North stops are "abandoned" entirely while a new car stop for the Thomas train boarding area is added at about the center of Barn 9.  The busiest stops tend to be Depot Street and the Thomas stop; typically for long stretches during the middle of the day there are consistent lines to ride the streetcar at these stops.

During one of our trips we were treated to an unusual sight: Chicago & West Towns 141, being switched around by a crew of Electric Car Department shop workers.  This car is awaiting measurements for and fabrication of new brake rods but most other work, including major wiring and air piping, is complete.  There are hopes that it may operate next year.

 And finally, the scene in Barn 7 after the three Chicago cars were put away.  Sometimes when you're standing there, imagining being at Kedzie or Devon during the late 1940s surrounded by carmine red and Mercury green streetcars, you need someone like Mike Stauber to bring you back to reality and point out "What are you taking a picture of?  It's just a streetcar!"

Detail: 14th Annual DOWT

0 Training Day

David Writes.....

Proper training to promote and ensure the safe operation the historic equipment at IRM is an essential facet of the organization.  Recently, Al and I received training from Henry Vincent one of the trainers in the electric car department.  I have been rules qualified for several years now, but had never taken the "leap" to actually learn to operate some of the equipment.  

Today, Henry worked with the two of us on the various facets of operating Chicago Transit Authority streetcar #3142.  This car is a K-Controller straight air car that many begin their operating careers on at IRM.  Today was Al's first day of training, while I was receiving my final line training and check ride to become qualified on the car.  As always, Henry did an excellent job of explaining everything, answering questions, and promoting the safe and careful operation of IRM equipment.  At the end of the day Rod performed a check ride with me, and signed my rule book and the associated paperwork.  Al will continue with more line training on subsequent days in order to become qualified.

Like any Wednesday, there was lots of work going on around IRM.  Nick was busy helping set up tents around the site, and Rod and other Car Department volunteers assisted in the unloading of a little blue tank engine.  Work was progressing on the TCRT PCC car, as well as various projects in the wood shop.  

Detail: Training Day

0 Two Firsts

There are two firsts represented with this post.  It is my first post as a member of the Hicks Car Works reporting team. Secondly I'm reporting on my first day working in the Operating Dept. at IRM.

I was scheduled to serve as Conductor on the CA&E wood car train on Sat.  utilizing the 319 and the 308.  However as I left home I checked the radar and noted a storm line moving NE from the Peoria area heading right for Union.

We don't want the woods out in the rain so got thinking about a plan B.  Sure enough had to stop around Elgin and put the top up on the car on the drive out.  Although the rain was not heavy, it was still wet. Got out to the Museum and met up with my motorman, Henry Vincent. Rod had decided that we would run with the steel car train (409 and 431).  I was pleasantly surprised to see visitors waiting for the gates to the parking lot to be opened in spite of the questionable weather.

The plan for the day was to operate the CA&E cars and a coach train powered by Milw 118-C. After the pre operating inspections we moved over to the station. Our first rip was about 75% full, but low and behold we had to turn passengers away for the second trip, and made that trip in a light rain.

One unexpected pleasure of the day was to watch the smiles on the faces of our passengers.  It really adds something to the job.  I did enjoy giving the car talks as well. A little quirk of the 409 that caused me a little confusion at first is the the trolley hooks are in different positions, the west hook near the center line of the car, the east end rather offset away from the motorman's side. Also noticed the slight difference in floor height between the 2 cars.

Phil from the Mt. Pleasant Iowa group had come out hoping to ride the 319 and look at the glass ceiling light globes. He hoped to have similar ones made for use in their 320.  So we walked him over to barn 8 and went into the 319 to have a look.

As it turned out the CTA El cars were outside so we had a good views of the south side of the 36.  Here you can really see the progress that Randy and I have mad in restoring CA&E colors to the car.

We made a final trip at 4:45 and after waiting for the Diesel  dept. to finishing some switching moves got the train put away at 6:30.  All in all a really great day

Detail: Two Firsts